What is a mobile hotspot ?

As wide-area networks (namely 3G, 4G) get faster and better at reaching inside buildings, users might be able to cancel their DSL or cable service and rely wholly on one multipurpose wireless connection. We’re not quite there yet, but consumers can at least use a mobile hotspot to supply Internet access to multiple mobile devices, including laptops, tablets, and e-readers.

A mobile hotspot connects to the Internet via a cellular network, and then creates a Wi-Fi hotspot that can connect any Wi-Fi-enabled device within about 30 feet. Many such mobile hotspots also include a battery backup to make them truly portable, rather than relying on external power.